Jacob had been counting down the days until his eighteenth birthday for as long as he could remember. Unlike most teenagers, he wasn't excited about the newfound freedom of adulthood or the legal ability to buy cigarettes and vote. No, Jacob was eagerly anticipating the gift he would receive from his parents: a magical ring.

The rings were a tradition in their world, a symbol of love and commitment. Each ring was imbued with powerful magic that allowed the wearer to find their perfect match. It was said that the rings never made a mistake, that they always found the right person for the wearer. And so, on his eighteenth birthday, Jacob received his ring, a shimmering band of gold that glowed with an otherworldly light.

He slipped it onto his finger and waited for the magic to take effect. But nothing happened. Jacob shrugged it off, assuming that it would take time for the ring to work its magic.